Yes, yes, I only put this up to show the photo. It’s fetching, arresting, isn’t it?!

I want to make clear that the reason this ancient practice can be considered valid is that it has been tested, not because it’s “ancient wisdom” or some equally fuzzy notion!

UPDATE: If you really must try this (it’s a bit of a dubious remedy), best to use sterile water or sterile saline solution, and not tap water, lest you end up like this Seattle woman who died after getting a brain amoeba infection from the water she squirted up her nose.

Code for Life is the blog of Dr Grant Jacobs who has wide-ranging interests in science-related subjects, especially genetics, bioinformatics and science communication. To learn more about Code for Life (topics, copyright, comments, writing), see the introductory page Twitter: @BioinfoTools

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